Virginia Civics SOL

Structure and Powers of Local Government

What is the relationship between the state and local governments? 

The authority of local governments in Virginia comes from the state.  Local government powers are given to the localities (local government) by the Constitution of Virginia and acts of the General Assembly. 

Multiple Choice

The authority of local governments in Virginia comes from the ___.

• Federal Constitution and local ordinances
• State Constitution and federal laws
• City charters and county regulations
• State

Multiple Choice

Local government powers are given to the localities (local government) by the ___

• Constitution of Virginia and acts of the General Assembly. 

• U.S. Constitution

• Congress

• Executive branch

The units of local government in Virginia are political subdivisions created by the General Assembly.  In Virginia, local governments exercise, or carry out defined and limited powers.  These powers include: enforcing state and local laws; promoting public health; protecting the public safety; educating the children; protecting the environment; regulating land use; and levying and collecting taxes.   

Multiple Choice

The units of local government in Virginia are political subdivisions created by the ___

• General Assembly

• township board
• city council
• federal government

Multiple Choice

  In Virginia, local governments exercise, or carry out defined and ___ powers.  These powers include: enforcing state and local laws; promoting public health; protecting the public safety; educating the children; protecting the environment; regulating land use; and levying and collecting taxes.   

• general
• limited

• random
• unspecified

Multiple Select

The units of local government in Virginia are political subdivisions created by the General Assembly.  In Virginia, local governments exercise, or carry out defined and limited powers.  These powers include: ___, ___ ___, ___ protecting the environment; regulating land use; and levying and collecting taxes.   

• enforcing state and local laws

• promoting public health

• protecting the public safety

• educating the children

The units of local government in Virginia are its counties, towns, and cities. These units have officials, or people in charge that carry out legislative, executive, and judicial powers.  Not all counties and cities are given the same powers. Cities have charters and their powers are listed in the city charter. However, both counties and cities assist in the implementation of state laws and programs.  Also, local government is funded by its ability to raise revenues in addition to money that the state provides.

Multiple Select

The units of local government in Virginia are its ___, ___, and ____.

• city

• county

• towns

• parks

Multiple Select

These units have officials, or people in charge that carry out ___, ___, and ___powers. 

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• administrative

Multiple Choice

Not all counties and cities are given the same ___.

• powers

• population
• geography
• weather

Multiple Choice

However, both counties and cities assist in the implementation of ___ ___ and programs. 

• regulations and programs
• rules and programs
• laws and programs
• state laws

Every Virginia county (unit) has an elected Board of Supervisors (officials). Their powers include carrying out legislative powers, enacting ordinances or local laws, and adopting annual budgets.

Multiple Choice

Every Virginia county (unit) has an elected ___ (officials).

• Board of Supervisors

• governor
• mayor
• sheriff

Multiple Choice

Their powers include carrying out legislative powers, enacting ___ or local laws, and adopting annual budgets.

• executive orders
• international treaties
• judicial decisions
• ordinances

Each Virginia city (unit) elects a City Council (officials) who exercises legislative powers, enacts ordinances, and adopts an annual budget.  All cities have mayors that are elected by the voters or the city council members.

Multiple Choice

Each Virginia city (unit) elects a ___ (officials) who exercises legislative powers, enacts ordinances, and adopts an annual budget. 

• king
• city council

• president
• governor

Multiple Choice

  All cities have ___ that are elected by the voters or the city council members.

• kings
• governors
• presidents
• mayors

Every Virginia city and county (unit) also elects or appoints a School Board (officials).  Their powers include overseeing or supervising the operations of public schools.

Multiple Choice

Every Virginia city and county (unit) also elects or appoints a ___ (officials).  Their powers include overseeing or supervising the operations of public schools.

• police officer
• school board member

• mayor
• firefighter

Multiple Choice

  Their powers include overseeing or supervising the operations of public ___.

• restaurants
• zoos
• hair salons
• schools

Each Virginia incorporated town (unit) elects a Town Council (officials), who are responsible for carrying out legislative powers, enacting ordinances, and adopting an annual budget.

Multiple Choice

Each Virginia incorporated town (unit) elects a ____ (officials), who are responsible for carrying out legislative powers, enacting ordinances, and adopting an annual budget.

• county governor
• city mayor
• state senator
• town council

Multiple Select

Each Virginia incorporated town (unit) elects a Town Council (officials), who are responsible for carrying out ___, ___, and ___.

• legislative powers,

• enacting ordinances

• adopting an annual budget.

• judicial powers

In all Virginia counties, cities, and incorporated towns, the elected legislative branch has the choice of hiring a manager to oversee local government operations.

Multiple Choice

In all Virginia counties, cities, and incorporated towns, the elected legislative branch has the choice of hiring a ___ to oversee local government operations.

• professional chef
• manager

• amateur magician
• part-time babysitter

In every Virginia locality, judicial disputes are resolved by state courts.   Judges in each locality  hear cases in circuit courts, district courts, juvenile and domestic relations courts and in small claims courts.

Multiple Choice

In every Virginia locality, judicial disputes are resolved by ___ ___.   Judges in each locality  hear cases in circuit courts, district courts, juvenile and domestic relations courts and in small claims courts.

• state courts

• military judges
• federal judges
• international judges

Multiple Choice

The Virginia Constitution also gives voters the responsibility to elect a ___ , a clerk of the circuit court, a commissioner of revenue, and a treasurer.

• senator
• mayor
• president
• sheriff